The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Another hugely successful Spalding and District Snooker and Billiards League season came to a close on Friday night with the annual dinner dance and trophy presentation evening.
All of the campaign’s trophy winners got their hands on silverware at the Springfields Events Centre showpiece, which was attended by more then 100 league members.
The night’s big prize, the sought-after Highest Achievement Award, went the way of legendary billiards cue ace Hugh Pinner this year.
Pinner, who turned 80 this year, is showing no signs of dropping his incredibly high standards – highlighted by his huge 139 break for Holbeach A back in November.
CUE ACE: Hugh Pinner was a deserved winner of the league’s Highest Achievement Award.
He has won countless trophies on the South Holland billiards scene over the years, including 13 Billiards Scratch Championship crowns.
They range from 1972 to 2011 and include a record six wins on the spin between 1976 and 1981.
Pinner, whose best break on the Spalding scene is a whopping 254 (set back in 1981), has also made the league’s highest break in 12 different seasons.
Spalding and District Snooker and Billiards League match secretary Susan Lefley believes the league have been fortunate to have a player of Pinner’s standard for so long – and dubbed him a very worthy winner of the night’s top prize.
She said: “Hugh has been a member of the league for a very long time.
WELL PLAYED: From left – Bren Bowman (left) made the top Division One and overall break (71), while Carl Gibson had the most wins Division One and overall snooker wins.
“At 80, to be still making breaks like 139 is a truly remarkable feat – and the league felt the time was right to mark his incredible list of achievements over the years.
“We are lucky to have had a player of Hugh’s ability for so long and he is a very deserved winner of the Highest Achievement Award.
“Overall, it has been another good season for the league and the 100 or so that attended the presentation night seemed to enjoy it.
“The league is a little disappointed by the turnout, especially those who said they would attend but chose not to. But overall it was another successful evening.”
The league springs back into action in August, with 49 snooker sides and 15 billiards teams – including new teams from Holbeach and Consti – all gunning for the top prizes once again.
To order any of the pictures taken on the night click the ‘order a photo’ tab on our website or call Lisa on 01775 660561.
